[Roodgorf]

That strikes me as a very, very generous assumption. Even assuming this were the case, it still seems to me akin to perjury, that is, instead of being up front about what they are doing "I am recreating how and where I found these" rather than deliberately putting on an act.

I understand that you say you still believe the officer was wrong to do so, but I think this should be sufficient evidence to assume innocence here.